Church Christmas Program

This is the one and only picture we have of the boys at our church Christmas program because somebody (that would be me) forgot to empty the SD card....oops!  But at least the picture got Henry singing and Walter doing the actions for "Away in a Manger."  Their class walked down the center aisle to the front of the sanctuary where they sang, "Happy Birthday," "Away in a Manger," and "Come on Ring those Bells."

In Walter's mind, walking down the aisle seemed very similar to the scene from Star Wars when Han Solo and Luke Skywalker receive their medals.  Naturally, he used his sweet, loud voice as he took his place up front to announce, "This is just like Han Solo and Chewbacca!" 

Letters from Henry

Henry and Walter have discovered a joy in letter-writing...especially the part the involves envelopes and stamps. 

They think it's fun to look through my stack of mismatched cards and envelopes, write a note or draw a picture, put it in an envelope, discreetly drop it behind me or Nate and then run away and watch us open it from a hiding spot. 

While I was getting a meal together last week, the boys sat at the kitchen table coloring and writing,

when Henry asked me how to spell, "are." 

 It went like this:

"Mom, how do you spell 'are' ?"

Mom: "Do you mean like, 'We are funny?'"

Henry:  "Yes."

Mom:  "A-R-..."

Henry:  "No Mom, like R."

Mom:  "Oh, you mean, how do you write the letter 'R'?" 

On my way over to the table, he said, "Never mind - I remember."

When I looked down to see his work,  I wasn't expecting to see this:

(Dear George, I love you.)

I was stunned - blown away, that my 5-year-old could write a note to his cousin all by himself! 

I send my many thanks to his teacher,  Mrs. V.O.!

A few days later, when Nate and I told the boys they couldn't do something that they wanted to do, Henry wrote the following  note, tucked it inside a "Happy Birthday" card, and delivered it to our bedroom.

 Dear Dad,

I am Mad.

Happy and Frown faces included.

I love that he tried it out a few times, starting at the top...

DI = Dad I'm

DIM = Dad I'm Mad

 D D D = Dear DaD

i A M D = i Am MaD or i'm MAD (just a little out of order)

Sorry, that was the teacher in me coming out, but I think it's amazing!  Their minds are such sponges!

Nate's Birthday

We celebrated Nate's birthday after enjoying a day of snow fun. 

We were happy to have him home again.

He's a gift to our family and we're so thankfull for him!

Snow Storm

Nate ended up cutting his hunting trip short so that he wouldn't have to drive home in a snowstorm.  He got home Saturday evening and by the time we woke up Sunday morning we had over a foot of snow.  Henry is beside himself with happiness.  He wants to go outside (even if the temp is below zero) and warm up with a hot cup of cocoa - we even hear him praying, "Dear Jesus, please let the snow stay here forever!"

For whatever reason, this picture insists on going this direction no matter what I do!

Our house

Looking down our street.

The favorite climbing tree.

They had so much fun burrowing into the snow and making snow angels. 
Walter loved sticking his head in the deep snow, which seemed a little chilly to me but he think it's the best!

Cooking, Building, & Grandpa

Nate spent a few days hunting in South Dakota in early December.  While he was away with friends, grilling steak and pheasant, and celebrating his birthday, we kept busy at home.

While I made fried rice for dinner one evening, Walter made his own "Tasty Soup."  He had a ball inventing his new recipe and would have taken a bite if I hadn't stopped him!  If you'd like to make it at home, this is what you'll need:

Walter's No-Cook Tasty Soup

1/3 C flour

6 ice cubes

1/3 C frozen peas (don't thaw)

handful of uncooked egg noodles

1 small container of cumin

lots of old, cold Spanish rice

a little old shredded taco-seasoned-chicken

a couple handfuls of chopped raw carrots

lots of water

"Who wants some Tasty Soup?  It's only $3."

Both boys have been building like crazy, but only Walter wanted his picture taken. 

This is his "Jericho."

Nate's parents were very thoughtful and treated us to dinner at Max's on the last night Nate was gone.  It was the beginning of a snow storm but we made it.  After we made it back home and ate a little dessert, Henry suggested I take a picture of these two with their Grandpa Will (after getting over my shock, I got a quick pic).



Decorating the Christmas Tree

We put our tree up after Thanksgiving and the boys were excited to help decorate. 

As you can see, they had a nice straight line of ornaments going.

From the day we decorate the tree until the day it comes down, the ornaments are constantly moving around the tree - well at least the ornamnets on the lower half of the tree.  So I wasn't too surprised when I noticed two new ornaments on the tree today.  Can you spot them?

Yep, that's right - no tree is complete without a "Western Ranger" and a bowl from your mom's kitchen!

Failed Christmas Picture Session

In mid-October, our Maple tree was beautiful so I thought I'd try to get a picture we could use for a Christmas card...but after 20-some pictures we didn't have a single picture that worked!  So it goes.

The boys seemed to be in a good mood when we got home after running some errands...

Feeling hopeful - a few smiles and laughs - maybe this will work!

"Joy to you!"

The sinking feeling kicked in - I don't think this is going happen.

Wait!  Maybe?

"Okay Mom, we're cold and done!"